Two separate but equally harrowing tragedies have shaken communities in New York and Michigan in recent weeks, each involving the brutal slaying of family members at the hands of those closest to them. In Long Island, New York, the tight-knit neighborhood of Bethpage is reeling after a beloved couple who owned a local deli for more than three decades were killed—allegedly by their own son. Meanwhile, in northern Michigan, the disappearance and murder of a pregnant young woman has led to the arrest of multiple family members, including her mother and stepfather, in a case that has horrified authorities and residents alike.
On the morning of December 4, 2025, the familiar hum of A&A Italian Deli and Pizza on Hicksville Road was shattered by violence. According to the Nassau County Police Department, Vito Dambrosio, 30, stands accused of murdering his parents, Angela Pulisciano, 62, and Antonio Dambrosio, 70, inside the family-run deli. The couple, who had emigrated from Italy and poured their hearts into the deli for more than 30 years, were found stabbed in the throat behind the counter—a place where they had served generations of customers with warmth and generosity.
Police say the incident began with an argument that escalated into a deadly confrontation. As reported by Newsday, Nassau Det. Lt. George Darienzo told the press, "He had blood on his hands and blood on his clothing," describing the scene when officers arrived at the deli around 9 a.m. that Thursday. The defendant, covered in blood, was arrested outside the restaurant before police discovered the grisly scene inside.
Authorities allege that Vito Dambrosio first stabbed his mother before turning the knife on his father. Angela Pulisciano was pronounced dead at the scene, while Antonio Dambrosio was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The deli, a fixture in Bethpage, became the epicenter of grief as residents and loyal customers gathered outside, struggling to comprehend the loss of a couple so deeply woven into the fabric of their community.
"I've been coming here for 30 years, and this is the worst thing in my lifetime and I'm 97 years old," one longtime customer told WNYW, echoing the disbelief felt by many. Another mourner, speaking to the same outlet, remembered the couple’s kindness: "They would give you the shirt off their back. If you didn't have money for food, they'd say, 'Pay me tomorrow, pay me next week.' They made great food and they were just happy-go-lucky people. I can't see this happening. It's awful. It's really heartbreaking."
Adding to the shock, police revealed that Vito Dambrosio had a history of violence and was estranged from his family following a domestic dispute with a sibling, who had taken out an order of protection against him in November. Just minutes before the stabbing, at around 8:50 a.m., Dambrosio allegedly slapped a worker’s backside at a nearby coffee shop, further illustrating a morning marked by escalating aggression, as reported by WPIX.
Witnesses described the surreal aftermath. "I just seen him sitting by the car, just standing there, sitting there, like nothing happened," one told WPIX. "But when they cuffed him, and he turned around, you see all the blood and stuff on his hands and everything." As police pieced together the sequence of events, the community turned to mourning, with a GoFundMe page capturing the couple’s legacy: "For more than 30 years, Tony and Angela devoted their lives to serving all of us. Straight from Italy, they built their deli with love, humility, and pure dedication. They never overcharged, never complained, and never treated anyone as just a customer. To them, we were all family. Their English was broken, but their love spoke perfectly. Every cup of coffee, every egg sandwich, every warm smile — all of it came from their hearts."
Vito Dambrosio was taken to a local hospital after his arrest and was arraigned on two counts of first-degree murder from his hospital bed on December 5, 2025. According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, he pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.
While Bethpage grapples with its loss, another community hundreds of miles away in Michigan is confronting a tragedy that has left many speechless. Rebecca Park, a 22-year-old woman who was 38 weeks pregnant, went missing on November 3, 2025, in northern Michigan. The Wexford County Sheriff’s Office officially reported her missing the following day, sparking an intensive search effort centered around the Manistee National Forest near her mother's home.
For weeks, volunteers and law enforcement scoured the woods, following every lead. Park’s cellphone was found discarded along a two-track road in the forest, but the search turned up nothing—until November 25, when her biological father discovered her body near where her phone had been found. It was exactly one week past her due date, and there was no sign of her unborn child. The area had already been searched, making the discovery even more chilling.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Park’s mother, Cortney Bartholomew, and stepfather, Bradley Bartholomew. Prosecutors allege the pair lured Park to their home, forced her into a vehicle, and took her into the woods, where they stabbed her and cut the baby from her womb, killing both mother and child. The Bartholomews were arraigned on December 3, facing eight charges each, including first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, torture, conspiracy, assault of a pregnant individual, unlawful imprisonment, and unlawful removal of bodies. They are being held without bond and are forbidden from communicating with each other in custody.
As reported by MLive.com, Prosecutor Johanna Carey described the case as "as serious as it gets. It’s as horrible as it gets." Carey further detailed, "They brought Rebecca Park to their home. They forced her into a vehicle and took her into the woods where they stabbed her. They forced her to lie on the ground while they cut her baby out of her, ultimately causing her death and the death of the baby."
Rebecca’s sister, Kimberly Park, was also arrested and arraigned on charges including tampering with evidence, lying to a peace officer, and filing a false report of a felony. Her bond was set at $750,000. Park’s fiancé is in custody as well, though his charges relate to drug offenses and are not connected to the murder, according to police statements.
The investigation has been exhaustive, with authorities collecting at least two knives from the residence where Park lived, as well as computers, notebooks, and other forensic materials. Police also searched for DNA evidence, blood stains, hair, fingerprints, and tools that could have been used to dispose of human remains. Despite the mounting evidence, authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the crime.
Both cases have left their respective communities in mourning, grappling with the incomprehensible reality of family members turning on their own. The search for answers continues, but for now, the focus remains on honoring the victims and seeking justice through the legal system, even as the wounds left behind will take far longer to heal.